Acting Head’s Blog 2nd October 2020 Friday 2nd October 2020

It’s been another vibrant week at St Michael’s, packed full of wonderful lessons and activities!

My assemblies this term focus on inspiring women from black history and so far, the stories of Wilma Rudolph and Mary Seacole have been shared. Both women faced many challenges, but showed impressive determination and resilience to pursue and fulfil their life goals. Bravery has been a key theme in these assemblies as both Wilma and Mary stood up for themselves and others, challenging those who limited opportunity and equality. Whilst our pupils were shocked at the injustice in these stories, they could articulate why learning about them is so important. True empathy and understanding of how “we can make things better in the future” was expressed superbly by the children.

Many pupils at St Michael’s have been taking assessments this week. This can be a nerve-wracking time, but we focus on the importance of understanding what we can and can’t do so that we know how to take the next steps with confidence and clarity. The testing environment at St Michael’s is supportive because our pupils know that progress looks different for everyone. By developing a growth mindset, we foster intrinsic motivation and openness to embrace challenges, learning from our mistakes as we grow. I would highly recommend Carol Dweck, Matthew Syed, Barry Hymer and Angela Duckworth as writers who give great insight into how the language we use can shape the mindset of the children, enabling them to understand that applying effort, embracing challenge and learning from mistakes will have a powerful impact on their success at school and beyond.

I’m sure, like me, you have had your ear on the national news this week and are aware that the Covid-19 situation is at the forefront of many people’s minds. We are, as you know, working very hard to continue to minimise the risk of the virus coming into the school community so that we can remain open to all pupils. Thank you for your patience with the ongoing adjustments to drop off and collection of the children; we appreciate your continued efforts in supporting the new systems in place. Our next development will be increased shelter for the pick up areas which will be welcomed on rainy days over the coming months. Thank you to the P & F for supporting us with this investment.

I wish you all a happy, healthy and restful weekend.

Mary Bridges

Latest News

Pupils give magical performances in music concerts

Prep pupils treated classmates and music teachers to a variety of musical performances this week in their half termly concert.

Performed in three instalments within their bubbles, the musicians showcased a variety of pieces, varying in both genre and instrument.

And although parents were unable to attend the concerts due to Covid-19 restrictions, the pupils’ families received a recording of the event.

Gordon Baird, Director of Music, said “We were delighted by how these first concerts of the academic year went despite the absence of the children’s parents. It was a lovely intimate experience for the children to play or sing to their friends and we heard some confident, accomplished performances.

Mr Baird added: “For some, it was their first time playing in a concert in the Prep school and we look forward to organising many more opportunities for them to perform throughout the year.”

A montage of the three music concerts can be found on the St Michael’s YouTube page at https://youtu.be/Bj_Wx4P9heg.

Pupils make a spooky guess

Spooky spiders and plump pumpkins sparked Halloween fun at St Michael’s this week.

Supported by the school’s Parents and Friends association, pupils enjoyed two games which offered great prizes to winners.

Coordinator of the Halloween competitions and P & F committee member, Kelly Downey said: “Given the restrictions currently in place, the P&F are focusing on strengthening the school community for parents and children this year.

“The competitions are a simple way for the children to have some fun in the week before half term, while raising some funds for the P&F.”

Children in Pre-Prep were tasked with guessing the number of spooky spiders in the jar, while Prep children were asked to guess the weight of a pumpkin. Pupils made a donations to the P & F in exchange for each guess they made.

And the winners of the games, Herbie W (Pre-Prep) A Ward, M Little, L Lutzow and H Owen (Prep), were awarded Halloween hampers which will help them celebrate this year’s festival in spooktacular style.

Kelly added: “The funds raised for the P&F will go towards funding activities and facilities for the children to enrich their time at the school.”

For more information about St Michael’s P & F association visit stmichaels.kent.sch.uk/parents-friends

Pupils give thanks in harvest celebrations

Strawberries and sunflowers were just some of the items celebrated in last week’s harvest assemblies.

The annual Pre-Prep event, performed as three instalments this year, saw Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils sing, dance and give prayer for the harvest while learning about the festival from their music teacher, Mrs Raveyeh.

Reflecting on the success of the events, Louise Raveyeh said: “I am quite moved by the children’s enthusiastic singing in our harvest celebration.

“It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to realise that there is joy in giving and sharing what we have and happiness for those who gratefully receive it.

“Their singing and eagerness to share with others was heartwarming.”

During the assemblies pupils sung songs about harvest time, nature and the variety of fruit and vegetables grown in this country.

Louise said: “I wanted the children to be thankful for what they have by realising what an amazing rainbow variety of food we have, created with individual characteristics just like them.

“I wanted them to realise the sense of joy that there is in sharing what we have.

“The songs reflect our celebration of what we have and realisation of the process of planting, harvesting and sharing.”

And it wasn’t just songs that helped the children express their thanks. Helped by their generous parents, Pre-Prep donated hundreds of food items and household essentials to the Swanley branch of Trussell Trust food bank.

Head of Pre-Prep at St Michael’s, Zerrin Leech, said: “We had tables, cupboards and bags festooned with food last week as our families gave very kind donations of food and other items.

“A huge thank you must go to the pupils’ parents for their wonderful generosity once again this year which will be gratefully received by the Trussell Trust.

“Thank you also to Mrs Ravayeh for leading our three harvest assemblies. They have been lovely with lots of new songs as well as my all-time favourite, Cauliflowers Fluffy.”

Year 7 celebrate start of term with sunset BBQ

Sunsets and sizzling sausages set the tone for the new term last Friday as Year 7 pupils celebrated the start of their senior education journey.

The annual event, traditionally held as a Camp Out, was delivered as a fun-filled barbecue night which the children enjoyed with teachers including St Michael’s Acting Head, Mrs Bridges.

Throughout the evening pupils tucked into dinner cooked by Deputy Head Mr Wiseman, and toasted marshmallows on an open fire.

And to make use of their new term energy, games and group bonding activites were carried out, followed by a walk up the school’s famous Warren where the sunset was relished in all of its glory.

Reflecting on the sucess of the event, Head of Year 7 and 8, Mrs Shield, said: “Unfortunately, we were unable to camp this year, but that did not dampen anybody’s spirits.

“One of the highlights of the evening was our twilight walk to the top of the Warren where we marvelled at the beautiful site that our school occupies.

“We viewed the bats swirling the skies in the dusk of late summer and ended the evening with a well-deserved hot chocolate – not forgetting the squirty cream and yet more marshmallows.

“Life-long friendships were made and re-established after the long summer break.”